Connor Chapman has pleaded guilty to handling a stolen Mercedes which was allegedly used during the murder of Elle Edwards.
He will go on trial this week at Liverpool Crown Court accused of murdering the 26-year-old, who was shot dead outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Wirral, on Christmas Eve. Merseyside Police previously stated the beautician was not the intended target of the shooting, which occurred shortly before midnight on December 24 2022 and also saw four men injured.
Chapman, of Houghton Road in Woodchurch, has been charged with Ms Edwards' murder. The 23-year-old appeared in court today, Monday, as a jury of eight women and four men were selected from an initial panel of 40 and sworn in to serve on the trial.
READ MORE: Live court updates as Connor Chapman appears charged with Elle Edwards' murder
Presiding judge Mr Justice Goose told the court that the case would be opened by Nigel Power KC, prosecuting, on Tuesday morning. A list of names and places connected to the case was read out to jurors, who were also warned to alert staff if they "live on or are connected to the Beechwood or Ford Estate or the Woodchurch Estate in the Wirral".
Justice Goose said: "This trial concerns events which occurred on Christmas Eve outside a public house on the Wirral in Wallasey, called the Lighthouse. Shortly before midnight, a man fired a machine gun which killed a young woman and injured others.
"There has been significant publicity about the shooting. It’s important in this, as in all criminal trials, that you as jurors are impartial and not connected to people and places involved in these events."
Chapman, who is defended by Mark Rhind KC and appeared with his hair tied back in a bun and wearing a white shirt and grey tie, this afternoon pleaded guilty to a count of handling stolen goods in relation to a 19-plate Mercedes A Class car. He has also pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against Harry Loughran, Nicholas Speed and Liam Carr, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life - namely a Skorpion submachine gun and 9mm short 0.380 auto/acp calibre ammunition.
Appearing alongside him in the dock Thomas Waring, of Private Drive in Barnston, who denies possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender in disposing of the Merc - which was said to have been “used during the murder” of Ms Edwards. The 20-year-old, who wore a black suit and was represented by William England, today pleaded guilty to a further charge of failing to comply with a disclosure notice - concerning a "section 49 disclosure notice" given to him on May 18 this year - on June 2 2023.
The case will resume at 10am tomorrow. The ECHO will be reporting live from the courtroom throughout proceedings, which are expected to last for three to four weeks.
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